Pittsburgh Pirates
2010 Record: 57-105
587 RS, 866 RA, Pythagorean Record: 51-111
Manager: Clint Hurdle
GM: Neil Huntington
Free Agents:
Kevin Correia, SP (2, $8MM); Matt Diaz, OF (2, $4.25MM); Scott Olsen, SP (1O, $500k; $4MM Club Option); Lyle Overbay, 1B (1, $5MM).
Minor League FA:
Gerardo Alvarez, 3B; Garrett Atkins, 3B*; Joe Beimel, P; Dusty Brown, C; Brian Burres, P; Christian Colonel, 3B; Josh Fields, 3B; Jorge Julio, P; Cesar Lopez, P; Andy Marte, 3B; Fernando Nieve, P**; Greg Picart, 2B; Justin Thomas, P; Wyatt Toregas, C; Donnie Veal, P; Jose Veras, P; Tyler Yates, P.
* Atkins was released during spring training.
** Nieve was released during spring training.
Rule V Pick:
Josh Rodriguez, SS (Indians)
Trades:
Received Cesar Valdez (P) from the Diamondbacks for Zach Duke (SP); Received Corey Wimberly (2B) from the Athletics for Ryan Kelly (P); Received a player to be named later from the Indians for Joe Martinez (P).
Waiver Claims:
Garrett Olson, P (from the Mariners); Aaron Thompson, P (from the Nationals).
Players Lost:
Andury Acevedo, 3B; Nathan Adcock, P; Brian Bass, P; Doug Bernier, SS; Josh Bonifay, 2B; Rodolfo Cardona, 2B; Yung Chi Chen, 2B; Neal Cotts, P; Jose de los Santos, 2B; Argenis Diaz, SS; Brendon Donnelly, P; Dana Eveland, P; Hector Gimenez, C; Corey Hamman, P; Derek Hankins, P; Sheng-Cin Hong, P; Chih-Wei Hsu, 1B; Erik Huber, OF; Steven Jackson, P; Chris Jakubauskas, P; Mitch Jones, OF; Erik Kratz, C; Andy LaRoche, 3B; Melkin Laureano, P; Wil Ledezma, RP; Jean Machi, P; Kevin Melillo, 2B; Lastings Milledge, OF; Dustin Molleken, P; Kyle Morgan, 1B; Brandon Moss, OF; Brian Myrow, 1B; Jordan Newton, C; Yomar Pacheco, P; Chan Ho Park, P; Dinesh Patel, P; Jeremy Powell, P; Milver Reyes, C; Kyle Saukko, OF; James Skelton, C; Jonathan Van Every, OF; Delwyn Young, OF.
Top 15 Prospects
1. Jameson Taillon, RHP
2. Stetson Allie, RHP
3. Tony Sanchez, C
4. Luis Heredia, RHP
5. Starling Marte, OF
6. Rudy Owens, LHP
7. Diego Moreno, RHP
8. Zack Von Rosenberg, RHP
9. Jeff Locke, LHP
10. Andrew Lambo, OF
11. Chase D’Arnaud, SS
12. Robbie Grossman, OF
13. Tim Alderson, P
14. Colton Cain, LHP
15. Gorkys Hernandez, OF
For a team that normally has a good draft pick, they haven’t had much to show for it. This past draft gave the team Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie, 2 of the top pitching prospects available. Taillon is one of the best pitching prospects without even throwing a professional pitch. Tony Sanchez was considered a reach when drafted, but is really starting to emerge as a solid catching prospect. After that, there are many questions marks.
2010 Review:
I could really cut and paste a review from any of the last few seasons and you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference – last place, under-performing prospects, bad signings.
At least with the 2010 Pirates, you have the debut of Pedro Alvarez. Alvarez is a solid player that should be around until the team can’t afford him and trades him off for prospects. Another plus for the team was the debut of long-time prospect Neil Walker; the former catcher/third baseman/man without a position settled in at second base and did fairly well.
2011 Preview:
It’ll be much more of the same. We’ll see which young players they traded for will work out – this time Andrew Lambo, Ronny Cedeno, and James McDonald. We’ll see which veterans can fetch new prospects – this time Lyle Overbay, Ryan Doumit, and Paul Maholm.
The team is spending on the draft and international free agents, so they could turn things around. I just can see it happening for at least 3 more years; probably closer to 5 truthfully. In the mean time, they will just need to find warm bodies to fill the roster that can be flipped for prospects.
The good news is, they should be better than the Astros.
From the Bloggers:
Prediction:
5th Place